Archos 5 250 GB Internet Tablet by Archos
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Digital camera reviews of Archos 5 250 GB Internet Tablet
Digital camera Review: A dinosaur of a media player
Summary: 1 Stars
Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet
On paper (or screen)it LOOKED good. A 250 GB capacity media player! Face it, for true music lovers the tepid 4-32 GB capacities of current flash technology are underwhelming---great for songs to exercise to, but not the choice of a hard core music freak who mixes and matches music ongoing. Moreover, I have owned several iPods and I HATE Apple's "closed" approach to using the iPods, forcing one to use the appallingly bad iTunes software, encrypting one's music into an obscure file structure on the device, and generally limiting---even forbidding any choice of HOW content can be organized, moved, and deleted from the devices. Maybe the "smooth" experience of an Apple product is great for people who conform to Apple's dictates, but to me it feels like "digital fascism"!
The allure of Archos (in general) and the Archos 5, specifically, was the promise of a "drag and drop" interface, flexible options for play list creation, and the promises of a device based on LINUX. Themajor selling point, though, was inclusion of file formats forbidden on most mainstream media players (including Creative Zen, which I have owned four devices)---OGG, FLAC, and a plethora of video codecs---seemingly.
The reality of the Archos 5 250 GB is not just sadly lacking, but appallingly tragic. First, the device weighs a TON compared to smaller, lightweight devices like my current iPod Touch or Zen V. That said, it IS a hard disk-based player---and it is made out of ammunition-grade metal. Not "pocket friendly", but still manageable. The large size is, likewise, a function of the hefty 4.8" display---a nice size for video!
The reality is that this thing is a DINOSAUR! First it uses a resistive touchscreen technology of the type patented in the 1970s! It requires calibration and even then is far less than precise. The interface of the Archos 5 IMT (not to be confused with the NEW Archos 5 IMT which ships with Android)is stale and clunky. The menus look like the type used in some automotive media systems---large type, easy to read, but hardly the sleek feel of a modern device like the iPod Touch, or Zen. Navigation of media is hampered by a notable latency as result of the hard disk access times, and one must thread through a hierarchal folder structure, even for play lists.
The device also suffers from the mandates of the EU to "protect hearing"---i.e.-it lacks any real volume using normal headsets of the type shipped with most media players. The sound, itself, even aided by an onboard graphical EQ, sound "flat" and lacking the dynamics and roll offs of "proper" hi fi audio. Sad, given the units ability to play lossless audio formats such as OGG and FLAC. Oh, and the iplementation of the LINUX OS on the device---well it is proprietary, locked down in the firmware ("for your protection")and arcane. Is it "hackable"? Only nominally---by absolute geeks.
Connecting to WiFi, while not a cakewalk, did work well provided one sets up a server device using Universal Plug and Play (UPNP)---a task beyond most average users, and fraught with security risks. So wireless media access, while possible, remains a dauntng task. The included Opera web browser and email client were---well, unusable. The tedium of trying to do any serious web tasks with the device's interface and wonky latency made it a non-starter.
Worse---Archos makes you BUY "additional codecs" and hardware to play certain formats and to perform certain tasks such as recording audio/video and playback through external devices. The device includes built-in "nag screens" to entice you to "add" functionality that should have been part of the purchase price. As to "support" by Archos of the device---well, best bet is to find an online community and pray you can find a "guru" there. Tech support from Archos SUCKS!
There is more I could say, some positive: I WANTED to like this device. I made compromises with this device...I was willing to be a co-dependent for this device...BUT three weeks after purchase---without provocation---without so much as a hard knock---the touchscreen FAILED. UTTERLY! Failed! As I said, Archos support is abysmal, nee, non-existent. Fortunately...it failed quickly. Back in the box...RMA from Amazon..back it goes for a refund. (And truthfully, Amazon deserves to eat this unit---it IS a dinosaur---it is outdated, and they sold it based on price without regard to functionality).
The quest for a high capacity media device continues...Archos wil NEVER see another dollar/euro of my hard earned cash. This experience was akin to purchasing a Porsche Carera and getting a '58 Buick! Ipod killer? I think NOT. Caveat Emptor.
Digital camera Review: A great idea with poor execution
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought an Archos 5 in June after much research. I wanted a fully functional web browser that could play video and audio, and the Archos 5 seemed to fit the bill. It was small, with a great screen and a reasonable user interface. I am not super techy and it seemed very cool for my needs.
It arrived and after a few trys, I was able to sync the unit with my media player, and away I went. For about 4 hours use.
The unit started losing files, and after a few more hours use, the FAT (file allocation table) was totally corrupted. Shortly after that (and several resets later), the unit finally gave up. I contacted Archos, who had me return the unit under the RMA program. I sent it back in August, with a promise that the unit would be processed in 10-15 days. After almost 30 days, I called Archos to find out that it had been repaired twice because the first repair did not work.
It was returned to me after a repair and check process, and it lasted less than an hour (It didn't even have time to sync), and it died again.
It is October (three months later), and my $300 paper weight is off to Archos by mail again. My hope at this point is to have it in time for ski season (I am not optimistic). They really seem to be interested in helping me out, but can't seem to make it happen.
Digital camera Review: ARCHOS 250GB
Summary: 4 Stars
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT. UNIT LACK FLASH VIDEO APPLICATION, UNABLE TO VIEW YOUTUBE VIDEOS. FLASH APPLICATION TO BE UPDATED LATER.Digital camera Review: ARCHOS 5 REVIEW by KERRY
Summary: 4 Stars
Very well performing and nicely laid out product! It's a bit cumbersome in the size department, but it more than makes up for that deficiency in functionality and features! Image quality, when viewing videos is nothing short of breathtaking!
Just a couple of suggestions for Archos:
1) Include the video codecs in the machine instead of making the purchaser download them for a fee! That is a bit of a rip off.
2) Because the screen is so large and easy to damage, an included protective case would have been nice! Had to buy that seperately as well!
3) The built-in speaker is tinny and provides terrible sound quality.
4) When I purchased the product from Amazon, I was not given the option of ppurchasing a protection plan for the unit. I am still trying to figure out how to get one.
All in all, a nice unit that I have recommended to friends. I had never heard of Archos til I went online to research the different types of MP3 players out there. I'm glad I discovered Archos!
Digital camera Review: ARCHOS is a ticking time bomb!
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought an archos 5 250gb a little over a year ago. It comes with a one year warranty. The hard drive completely broke down 1 year and 1 MONTH after I bought it. A customer service representative assured me it would be fixed, so I sent it in. I just received an email that it will NOT be fixed under warranty and would cost another $200.00 to have it repaired. Funny that it breaks right after the warranty expires. Now I have a very expensive paper weight. On top of that, to do anything extra with it, you have to buy various add ons, and the wait time to load and play a video is ridiculous. DO NOT buy an ARCHOS!!! Buy an iPod instead. I wish I had.